Konost digital rangefinder

sergeremy · 03-01-2015, 09:41 AM

Hello members,

I came across this yesterday, and it got me pretty excited

Konost |

I got to use a film Leica for an afternoon a few months ago and really enjoyed the focusing experience (and proceeded to ruin my roll of film on my first and only attempt at developping

). This looks like exactly the same experience, albeit for the digital focusing patch - the viewfinder is still optical. I understand Fuji has a focusing aid of the sort, but, I think, only when using the EVF?

Do you think this is just vaporware, or has it any chance of really getting out there in the real world?

Rimfiredude · 03-01-2015, 10:39 AM

Wow! I should be fairly inexpensive not having any bells and whistles, just a Plain Jain camera. ha ha

**TomB_tx** · 03-01-2015, 05:02 PM

Looks like a lot of unproven tech ideas have to work out - I'd give it a low chance of getting to market.
I've used Leica rangefinders since the mid 1960s (along with SLRs for telephoto and maro work), and have never had problems with their optical rangefinders - very well proven technology when done right. Canon also made great RF cameras in the '50s & '60s which I still use, and the Zeiss Ikon ZM of the early 2000s had the best range-viewfinder of all. There's just a small market for RFs. Other than the novelty factor I don't see a compelling reason for the Konost, or a market for one.
The key for Leica lenses is not the RF, but a sensor that can handle the light angles from the lenses.

stevebrot · 03-04-2015, 03:28 PM

Originally posted by TomB_tx

Looks like a lot of unproven tech ideas have to work out

I would agree. I came across this project last week and was intrigued by it since I have long thought that a no-frills digital interchangeable lens camera was something I would like. The mockup body has a wide rangefinder baseline (good), but I was surprised to read that the rangefinder will not be a traditional optical unit. Instead, they will use some sort of digital overlay using a technology that has yet to be developed.

Steve

BTW...I wish I had purchased an Ikon ZM when they were being closed out a couple of years ago. It was a short product run (only about 5 years), but the product itself was a gem.

**TomB_tx** · 03-05-2015, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

BTW...I wish I had purchased an Ikon ZM when they were being closed out a couple of years ago. It was a short product run (only about 5 years), but the product itself was a gem.

I bought a used one as they were disappearing. Wonderful to use. Wish they would do a digital version.

stevebrot · 03-05-2015, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by TomB_tx

Wish they would do a digital version.

Mr. K. at Cosina is not fond of digital...at least not after his work with Epson

Steve

03-01-2015, 09:41 AM	#1
sergeremy Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Périgueux Posts: 733	Konost digital rangefinder Hello members, I came across this yesterday, and it got me pretty excited Konost \| I got to use a film Leica for an afternoon a few months ago and really enjoyed the focusing experience (and proceeded to ruin my roll of film on my first and only attempt at developping ). This looks like exactly the same experience, albeit for the digital focusing patch - the viewfinder is still optical. I understand Fuji has a focusing aid of the sort, but, I think, only when using the EVF? Do you think this is just vaporware, or has it any chance of really getting out there in the real world?

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03-01-2015, 10:39 AM	#2
Rimfiredude Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Washington Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,176	Wow! I should be fairly inexpensive not having any bells and whistles, just a Plain Jain camera. ha ha

03-01-2015, 05:02 PM	#3
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	Looks like a lot of unproven tech ideas have to work out - I'd give it a low chance of getting to market. I've used Leica rangefinders since the mid 1960s (along with SLRs for telephoto and maro work), and have never had problems with their optical rangefinders - very well proven technology when done right. Canon also made great RF cameras in the '50s & '60s which I still use, and the Zeiss Ikon ZM of the early 2000s had the best range-viewfinder of all. There's just a small market for RFs. Other than the novelty factor I don't see a compelling reason for the Konost, or a market for one. The key for Leica lenses is not the RF, but a sensor that can handle the light angles from the lenses.

03-04-2015, 03:28 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by TomB_tx Looks like a lot of unproven tech ideas have to work out I would agree. I came across this project last week and was intrigued by it since I have long thought that a no-frills digital interchangeable lens camera was something I would like. The mockup body has a wide rangefinder baseline (good), but I was surprised to read that the rangefinder will not be a traditional optical unit. Instead, they will use some sort of digital overlay using a technology that has yet to be developed. Steve BTW...I wish I had purchased an Ikon ZM when they were being closed out a couple of years ago. It was a short product run (only about 5 years), but the product itself was a gem.

03-05-2015, 04:12 PM	#5
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	Originally posted by stevebrot BTW...I wish I had purchased an Ikon ZM when they were being closed out a couple of years ago. It was a short product run (only about 5 years), but the product itself was a gem. I bought a used one as they were disappearing. Wonderful to use. Wish they would do a digital version.

03-05-2015, 04:53 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by TomB_tx Wish they would do a digital version. Mr. K. at Cosina is not fond of digital...at least not after his work with Epson Steve

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